Question

Which statement about total phosphorous loads in Lake Erie during the first decade of the 21st century is true?

1) The total phosphorous loads in Lake Erie decreased during the first decade of the 21st century.
2) The total phosphorous loads in Lake Erie remained constant during the first decade of the 21st century.
3) The total phosphorous loads in Lake Erie increased during the first decade of the 21st century.
4) The total phosphorous loads in Lake Erie cannot be determined.

Answer 1

While specific trend data for phosphorous loads in Lake Erie during the first decade of the 21st century isn't provided, the challenges of phosphorus control and environmental impact suggest an increase in phosphorous levels due to human activities.

Step-by-step explanation:

Addressing the question of which statement about total phosphorous loads in Lake Erie during the first decade of the 21st century is true, it’s important to consider the environmental impact of phosphorus on aquatic systems. Phosphorus, as a nutrient, plays a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems and excessive amounts, typically due to human activity such as use of detergents, artificial fertilizers, and animal husbandry, can lead to eutrophication. The negative effects of eutrophication include algal blooms which reduce light penetration, create aphotic zones, deplete oxygen levels, and can result in dead zones where fish and other organisms fail to survive. Although the information provided doesn't give specific data trends for Lake Erie in this period, based on the known issue of phosphorus control and storm water runoff posing environmental challenges, it can be intuited that phosphorus levels may have increased due to these factors during that time frame.